(Photo of Former Geneva Coach Gene Sullivan’s Geneva Hall of Fame Photo when he was inducted into the hall of fame in 2017. Used with permission)

Story by Frank Sparks,  Beaver County Radio News/Program Director
(Beaver Falls, Pa.) During Friday night’s Rochester and New Brighton football game on Beaver County Radio, Sports Director and play by play man Bob Barrickman learned of the passing of former longtime Geneva Football Coach Gene Sullivan.  Bob announced it to the Beaver County Radio audience and him and broadcast partner John Perrotto talked about what a legend Gene was and Bob called him the “Gentle Giant”.
In A Facebook post on the Geneva College Golden Tornado Football teams page Geneva Head Coach Geno DeMarco said “We are saddened by the news of our beloved Coach Gene passing. His commitment to Christ will forever be a witness to every player who had played for him and his impact on College Hill is now reaching into the 6th decade. ”
St. Barnabas Broadcasting CEO William Day said in an e-mail that “Gene was a great man who I was privileged to know”
Sullivan was was hired in 1976 as the Head Football Coach and Athletic Director at Geneva College. He served as Head Coach until 1992 and then as an Assistant Coach from 1993 until his retirement in 2013.  Coach Sullivan led Geneva to the NAIA national semi-finals in 1987. He was the second  longest tenured football coach and third longest overall in school history. Coach Sullivan is second in career football victories at Geneva with 75 victories.
There is no word on what Coach Sullivan passed from. He was 88 years old.
Friends will be received at the Noll Funeral Home Inc., 333 Third Street, Beaver, PA 15009 on Monday, September 12, 2022 from 4-8 pm. A funeral service take place at First Presbyterian Church, 252 College Avenue, Beaver, PA 15009 on Tuesday, September 13, 2022 at 11 am.